English
Why is the subject important?
Our English curriculum at Trinity Academy Bradford equips all students with the functional skills needed for later life, whilst nurturing a passion and love of literature from across the world. We work as a team to ensure that our curriculum is tailored and differentiated to meet the needs of our cohort to allow each of our students the opportunity to thrive in English and beyond.
Through the study of English Literature, our students develop a knowledge of and embrace cultural capital through a variety of well-considered texts across the English canon; students are exposed to a range of contextual backgrounds and momentous historical events. These underpin and explore our core values as a school.
Through the study of English Language, we foster the analytical thinking of our students in order to develop their inquisitive natures which will empower them to criticise the things that they read, see and hear in the modern world. It is our aim to ensure that students have a comprehensive vocabulary to access and articulate challenging ideas. We endeavour to teach students a range of oracy and literacy skills which make them effective communicators across a range of modes and mediums.
Year 7
What will I be studying?
- Gothic Horror
- Crime
- Romance and Violence
- Gothic and Dystopian
How will I be assessed?
There are three assessments over the course of the year. They are broken down into three combined reading and writing assessments.
- Assessment 1:
- Writing – Fiction writing (descriptive) assessment linked thematically to Gothic Horror and Darren Shan’s Cirque du Freak
- Reading – Creative writing assessment linked thematically to Gothic Horror and Darren Shan’s Cirque du Freak
- Assessment 2:
- Writing – Non-fiction writing assessment (persuasive argument) linked thematically to the Crime genre and the novel Stone Cold
- Reading – Non-fiction reading assessment linked thematically to the Crime genre students have been studying
- Assessment 3:
- Writing – Non-fiction writing assessment linked thematically to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
- Reading – Non-fiction reading assessment linked thematically to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
Knowledge Organisers
- Term 1 – Cirque de Freak: Introduction
- Term 2 – Cirque de Freak: Development
- Term 3 – Stone Cold
- Term 4 – The Hound of the Baskervilles
- Term 5 – Romeo and Juliet
- Term 6 – Gothic and Dystopian
Which websites should I use to support my learning?
- BBC Bitesize – KS3 English: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z3kw2hv
- Education Quizzes – KS3 English: https://www.educationquizzes.com/ks3/english/
- Access the Grammar and Punctuation on GCSE Pod: https://www.gcsepod.com/
Year 8
What will I be studying?
- Displacement
- Thriller
- Poems of canon, contemporary and culture
- Mystery
How will I be assessed?
There are three assessments over the course of the year. They are broken down into three combined reading and writing assessments.
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- Assessment 1:
- Writing – Non-fiction writing assessment linked thematically to class content
- Reading – Non-fiction reading assessment linked thematically to class content
- Assessment 2 :
- Writing – Fiction writing (narrative) linked thematically to the short story collection students have been studying
- Reading – Fiction reading assessment linked to an unseen poem in the poetry genre they have been studying
- Assessment 3:
- Writing – Non-fiction writing assessment linked thematically to J.B. Priestley’s An Inspector Calls
- Reading – Non-fiction reading assessment linked thematically to J.B. Priestley’s An Inspector Calls
- Assessment 1:
Knowledge Organisers
- Term 1 – Refugee Boy: Introduction and language
- Term 2 – Refugee Boy: Punctuation and language
- Term 3 – Short story collection & poetry: Vocabulary and techniques
- Term 4 – Poetry collection: Techniques and vocabulary
- Term 5 – An Inspector Calls: Dramatic conventions and punctuation
- Term 6 – Persuasive strategies
Which websites should I use to support my learning?
- BBC Bitesize – KS3 English: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z3kw2hv
- The Day: https://theday.co.uk
- English Learning Council – Grammar: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar
Year 9
What will I be studying?
There are three assessments over the course of the year. They are broken down into three combined reading and writing assessments.
- An Introduction to allegory – George Orwell’s Animal Farm
- An Introduction to tragedy (Othello)
- Poetry Anthology
- Viewpoint writing and non–fiction
How will I be assessed?
- Assessment 1:
- Writing – Non-fiction writing assessment linked thematically to George Orwell’s Animal Farm
- Reading – Non-fiction reading assessment linked thematically George Orwell’s Animal Farm
- Assessment 2:
- Reading – Literature assessment in response to an extract from a speech
- Writing – Creative writing assessment exploring the character’s thoughts and motivations
- Assessment 3:
- Reading – Non-fiction reading assessment to a poem thematically linked to class content
- Writing – Non-fiction assessment linked thematically to class content
- Assessment 4:
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- Speaking and Listening – Students will write and perform a speech on a topic of their choice, drawing inspiration from the previous term’s themes
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Knowledge Organisers
- Term 1 – Animal Farm: Themes and context
- Term 2 – Animal Farm: Themes and context
- Term 3 – Drama and Tragedy: Othello
- Term 4 – Drama and Tragedy: Othello
- Term 5 – Poetry Anthology
- Term 6 – Global issues and viewpoint
Which websites should I use to support my learning?
- Blood Brothers Revision: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zxv7sg8
- Non – Fiction and current issues: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround
- Othello Analysis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKcBJkOhimE
GCSE English Language
What will I be studying?
- AQA English Language Paper 1: Explorations in creative writing and reading
- AQA English Language Paper 2: Writers’ viewpoints and perspectives
How will I be assessed?
Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing
Section A: Reading
- One literature fiction text
Section B: Writing
- Descriptive or narrative writing
Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
80 marks
50% of GCSE
Questions:
Reading (40 marks) (25%) – four questions based on one previously unseen fiction text
Writing (40 marks) (25%) – one extended writing question (24 marks for content, 16 marks for technical accuracy)
Paper 2: Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives
Section A: Reading
- One non-fiction text and one literary non-fiction text
Section B: Writing
- Writing to present a viewpoint
Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
80 marks
50% of GCSE
Questions:
Reading (40 marks) (25%) – four questions based on two previously unseen non-fiction texts
Writing (40 marks) (25%) – one extended writing question (24 marks for content, 16 marks for technical accuracy)
Non-examination Assessment: Spoken Language
- Presenting
- Responding to questions and feedback
- Use of Standard English
Which examination board am I following?
Exam Board: AQA
Specification: 8700
Website: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-language-8700
Which websites should I use to support my learning?
- BBC Bitesize: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize
- Youtube – Mr Bruff: https://www.youtube.com/user/mrbruff
- The Day: https://theday.co.uk/
- GCSEPod: https://www.gcsepod.com/
GCSE English Literature
What will I be studying?
- English Literature Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th century novel
- English Literature Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry
Studied Content:
- Macbeth (Shakespeare)
- A Christmas Carol (19th century novel)
- Blood Brothers (Modern text)
- Power and Conflict Poetry (Poetry)
- Unseen Poetry (Unseen)
How will I be assessed?
Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel
How it is assessed:
- Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
- 64 marks
- 40% of GCSE
Questions:
Section A Shakespeare (34 marks): students will answer one question on their play of choice. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the play and then to write about the play as a whole.
Section B The 19th-century novel (30 marks): students will answer one question on their novel of choice. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the novel and then to write about the novel as a whole.
Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry
How it is assessed:
- written exam: 2 hour 15 minutes
- 96 marks
- 60% of GCSE
Questions:
Section A Modern texts (34 marks): students will answer one essay question from a choice of two on their studied modern prose or drama text.
Section B Poetry (30 marks): students will answer one comparative question on one named poem printed on the paper and one other poem from their chosen anthology cluster.
Section C Unseen poetry (32 marks): Students will answer one question on one unseen poem and one question comparing this poem with a second unseen poem.
Which examination board am I following?
Exam Board: AQA
Specification: 8702
Website: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-literature-8702
Which websites should I use to support my learning?
- BBC Bitesize: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize
- Spark Notes: sparknotes.com
- Youtube – Mr Bruff: https://www.youtube.com/user/mrbruff
- The Day: https://theday.co.uk/
- GCSEPod: https://www.gcsepod.com/